1955 Yearbook

June 2, 1955

d\fum&'lj. 16-17

THE WESTERN PENNSYLVANIAN Published every two weeks during the school year at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, Edgewood, Pittsburgh 18, Pennsylvania.

Subscription: One Dollar a Year Second class mail privileges authorized at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Editor Sam B. Craig Assistant Editor . Christopher G. Smith

THE

WESTERN PENNSYLVANIAN

VOLUME 63

JUNE 2. 1955

NUMBERS 1 6-1 7

Western Pennsylvania

School for the Deaf CLASS MOTTO

There is no Royal Road to Knowledge

CLA SS COLORS

CLASS FLOWER

Blue and Gold

Yellow Rose

Dedication

Miss Dorothy R. Rung, R.N. SCHOOL NURSE

The class of 19 55 is proud to dedicate this Graduation yearbook of the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf to Miss Dorothy R . Rung, who is concluding her twenty-fourth yea r as school nurse. Starting in I 9 3 I, she has proved to be a trem endous factor in the school operating program. H er true value lies in her ability to keep the s tudents on a healthy b asis, doing as much good as she possibly can. To her we are indebted for the services she has extended toward our health during our years at this school.

THE FREEDOM PLEDGE I am a n American . A fr ee Ame ric an.

Free to sp ea k- without fear, F ree to w o r s hip m y own G o d, Free t o s ta nd fo r what I think rig ht, Free to o ppose wh a t I believe wrong, Fre e t o c hoose those who g ove rn m y country.

This h e ritage o f F r eed om I pledge to uphold For mys~lf a nd all m a nkind.

--Anowymous

Administration

Our Superintendent .

SAM B. CRAIG, M.A., Litt.D

To The Members of the Graduating C l ass:

It has been a pleasure to be associated with you over the past years and it is with a feeling o f regret that I see you leave this school. However, I am happy over your achievements and am pleased that you are leaving so well equipped to met your problems. I am confident that each and every one of you will succeed in whatever you undertake and will reflect great credit on your teachers and your school.

Sincerely, Sam B . Craig

Our Principals .

•

To the Graduation Class: We hope that this commencement meets all your expectations and that you will always remember the years you spent at school.

We know that y o u have done your best and as you enter other activities we hope that you will continue to do so.

The teachers and myself wish you a happy and successful f uture.

Cordially yours, Christopher Smith

Mr. C hris t op h er G. Smith, B.S. ADM I N I STRATIVE PRINCIPAL

To the members o f the Gra duatin g Class : During the past two years it h as been my great p riv ilege t o share with all t h e staff m e mbe rs a general pride in t h e acc omplishments of the C l ass o f 19 55.

We feel confident that t h e achievement of t h e p r e se nt will continue to grow into a future o f success. I am happy t o j o in w ith your many friends in a sincere wish for your happiness in year s to come.

Sincerely, Marion A. Q u ick M iss Marion Amelie Quick, M.A. ACADEMIC PRINCIPAL

Assistant Administrators ...

Mrs. Esther Ba rr MATRON

t..--路"'8., Mr. ]. Oscar Bar r

M rs. L essie L. C h a mberlain

DEAN OF BOYS

DEAN OF G IRLS

THE AMERICAN'S CREED I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the peo ple; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed ; a democracy in a republic; a sovereign state; a perfect union, one a nd inseparable; establish ed upon tho se principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed th eir lives and fortunes.

I th erefore believe it is my duty to my country to l o ve it; to support its constitution; to obey its l aws; to respect its fl ag; and to defend it against all enemies.

-\f/illiam T yler Page

Faculty

Our Teachers ACAD EMIC D EPAR T ME N T

Mrs. Lill ie K. Edge, Mr. Bernard Teitelbaum, Mrs. Mary D. McCanne, M r. Harvey Barnes, Mr. Milford W. H oliday, and Mrs. Margaret P . Stanton.

VOCATIONAL DEPARTMENT

Mr. J ames A. Mackin , Mr. John H. Stanton, and Mr. John W. Stull.

Mrs. Nutting ( substituting for Mrs. Conway ), Mrs. H. E. Smith, Miss E. Key, and Mrs. F. Lawler.

Class Staff .

•

Jean Henry, Mr. H arvey Barnes, Joe Jezerski, Shirley Smith, M iss Bernardette Gallagher, and Mary Ann DiCola. M r. Barnes and Miss Gallagher are Class Advisors.

Preside nt

Joe J ezer ski

Vice-P reside nt

Mary Ann D iCola

Sec r e tary

. ......... J e an Henry

T reasure r

Shirley Smith

C lass A d v isors

M iss Berna rdette Galla g h e r Mr. H a r v ey Bar nes

Editorial Staff .

•

Front row: Sh irley Lewis, Jean H enry, Shirley Flint, Betsy Schwalm, and Mary Ann DiCola. Back R ow : Bert Shaposka, Joe Jezerski, and D on Daberko.

Editor in chief Co-Editors Administration Faculty Seniors C lass Roll Class Leg acy C lass Prophecy Class History ... .. ..... . .

Activities Social Editor A thletics ..

Class Artist

Don Daberko Joe J ezerski, Mary Ann DiCola Don Daberko Jean Henry Don Daberko Shirley Lewis Shirley Flint Betsy Schwalm Bert Shaposka Joe J ezerski Betsy Schwalm Joe J ezerski Don Daberko

OPPORTUNITY This l beheld , or dreamed it in a dream: There spread a cloud of dust along a plain; And undern eath the cloud, or in it, raged A furious battle, and men yelled, and swords Shocked upon swords and shield s. A prince's banner Wavered, then staggered backward, h emmed by foes.

A craven hung above the battle's edge And thought, "Had I a sword of kee n er steel-That blue blade that th e king' s son bears -- but this Blunt thing-!" h e sn apt and flung it from his hand, And lowering crept away and left the field.

Then came the king' s son, wounded, sore bestea d , And weaponless, and saw the broken sword, Hilt-buried in the dry and trodden sand, And ran a nd sn a tched it, a nd with battle-shout Lifted afresh h e h ewed his enemy down , And saved a great cause that heroic d ay.

- T!dwarcl R.ow/anrl Sill

Seniors

Margaret Lois Cenis

"Margie"

Carnegie, Pennsylvania Tall, attractive gal - - - tries to attract the boys - - - very irrep ressible lass - - - keeps up to date o n m o vie makers' lives - - pet expressions: "I don't care" "None of your business" - - - member of Read ing Cl u b - -- ambition: to be a housewife.

A rlene La Verne Crutchfield

"Nunny"

McKeesport, Pennsylvania Q u iet unseen girl - - - a good listener - - has neat appearance - - - good taste in clothes - - - loves sewing on wardrobe - - p e t expression: "Aw, shut up" - - - member of Readin g Club - - - ambition: to be a dressmaker.

Donald Arlen Daberko

''Donnie"

Monongahela, Pennsylvania The shortest senior - - - quick to catch the ladies' eye - - - witty conversationalist - - o p inionated - - - once he starts a task, he completes it--- pet expression: "No worry" - - - soccer and basketball player - - - editor in chief of the Yearbook - - class artist - - - president of Reading C lub - - - member of Order of the Arrow - - monitor - - - ambition: to be a printer.

Mary A nn DiC ola

"Marianna"

New Castle, Pennsylvania Little shy gal - - - avoids talking to the boys - - - takes time to s tudy - - - corresponds with foreign p e npal s - - - always willing to help others - - - pet e xpressions: "Wh y?" "Oh, I see!" -- - vice president of the Senior class - - - comp a ny editor - - - treas urer of Reading Club - - - M ay Queen of I 9 55--- monitor --- senior Scout- - - ambition : to attend Gallaudet C ollege.

Alice Mae Fink

"Alice"

Ridgeway, Pennsylvania Bl onde - - - dee p in thoug ht of h e r coming event - - - spends her time writing to her one and only - - - pet spo t is th e kitch en ---believes 'Th e way to a man's h eart is throu gh his stomach " - - - pet expression: "Watch me!" - - - ambition: to be a housewife.

Shirley A nne Flint

"Flint"

West Brownsvill e, Pennsylvania Tall, b lu shing little g irl --- s hy when with t h e boys - - - likes to read model m agazines - - - loves to sleep - - - talks of homework - - -will do well in her life's work-- - pet expressions: "I am tire d " "All right" ---class te s t a tor --- vicepresid ent of R ea din g C lub --- monitor - - -senior Scout --- ambition: to be a n accomplis hed model.

Lorella Jean Henry

"] ean ie"

Rock wood , Pennsylvania B lushes ever so easil'y - - - of , dig nified personality - - - loves to play w ith and care for children - - - friendly and sympathetic to a II - - - does everyone's work - - - pet expression: "I say, tho" - - - varsity cheerleader - - - Senior class s c.cretary - - - president of Reading Club - - - May Queen of 1952---monitor---senior Scout - - - ambition : to atten d a business college.

Jesse George Irvin A ltoona,

"Jess" Pennsylvania路

Blushful g u y - - - laughs very easily - - big hearted - - - sings to himself - - - likes to read - - - loves swimming - - - w ill do well in his life's work- - - pet expression: "W anna bet?" - - - member of Reading C lub - - - Explorer - - - ambition: to be a p r int er.

Joseph Avery J ezerski

"Big joe"

Paris, Pennsylvania A fin e, sturdy boy of great popularity --- sp ar kplu g of the school's a thletic teams - - - all-star basketball player - - w illing to l e nd a helping hand - - - pet expression: "Yes" - - - captain of basketball and soccer teams - - - president of Senior class - - - member of the Reading Clu b - - - monitor - - - Exp lorer - -- ambition: to be ~ printer.

Shirley Ann Lewis

"Shirley Ann"

Masontown, Pennsylvania Quiet, retiring gal- - - mighty active m tumbling--- loves to work and help others - - - lik es mystery stories - - - dotes on writing letters - - -pet expression: 路'I don't believe it!" - - - varsity cheerleader - - - compiler of the Senior class roll - - member of Reading Club--- member of the May Queen's court - - - senior Scout - - -monitor - - - ambition: to be an office worker.

"Gene"

Eugene Denton Rankin Clairton, Pennsylvania

Big hearted guy - - - likes to talk with girls - - - dreams of his "Chevy" - - - gives a helping hand when he can - - - loves to gab - - - does all the difficult tasks - - - pet expression: "0. K." - - - sergeant-at-arms of the Reading C lub - --Scout of Troop 32 - - - ambition: to be a mechanic.

Elizabeth Lulu Schwalm

"Betsy Lou"

Oakmont, Pennsylvania Attractive blonde, quiet and friendly - - has a talent for teaching little ones - - has a number of penpals - - - great reader - - - pet expressions: "I thought so" "I don't care" ---varsity cheerleader--member of the May Queen's court - - May Queen of 19 54 - - - Senior class prophet - -- memberof the Reading C lub - - senior Scout--- monitor--- ambition: to attend Gallaudet College.

Bert Carl Shaposka

"Bertie'"

California, Pennsylva nia Young schol ar - - - app lies himself to his books - - - expresses a keen imag ination -- - loves to promote projects--- deb a tes w ith everyone - - - p et expr ession: " If you were only a g ir l'' - - - m emb e r of baske tball team- -- c l ass hi s t o rian-- member of the R eading C lub - - - monitor - - - Expl orer- - - ambition : to a tt end Ga llaudet College.

Shirley Eldon Smith

"Eld on路路

Midland, Pennsylva nia Ladies' man - - - goes about minding his own business - - - wizard in mathematics - - - loves to fla tter gals - - - would like to be a jockey - - - pet expression : "By the name o f .. - - - manager of basketball team - - - m ember o f soccer team - - tre asurer of Senior class - - - tre asurer of Reading C lub--- m onitor--- Explorer - - - a mbition: to be a p rinte r .

POLONUS' ADVICE TO LAERTES Give thy thoughts no tongue, Nor any unproportion' d thought his act.

Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar.

The friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel; But do not dull thy palm with entertainment Of each new~hatch' d, unfledg' d comrade. Beware Of entrance to a quarrel; but being in, Bear' t that the opposed may beware of thee.

Gi~e every man thine ear, but few thy voice: Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgment.

Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy, But not express' d in fancy; rich, not gaudy: For the apparel oft proclaims the man; Neither a borrower nor a lender be: For loom oft loses both itself and friend; And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.

This above all, ~ ~ to thine own self be true; And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.

- \f/illiam Shake.rpeare

Class Honors

Class History

•

By Ben Shaposka

Without the presence of written records, history does not exist. It is therefore fitting and proper that this written document be prepared to help us, in the years to come, to relive our happy experiences at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.

In the fall of 19 50, we were promoted to the advanced department of the school. Of ¡these pupils, presumably twenty, only nine of us remain. The others have graduated, or dropped out, due to various reasons. The other five members of the graduating class, numbering fourteen, had yet to reach this section.

We were just "green" then, not knowing what to expect. How the higher classes must have pitied us! We were started on our upward climb, and in the course of five years, have since devloped into "finished products." It was a long, hard struggle. To tell of the many happy experiences that were encountered in it makes a story more thrilling than fiction.

It is impossible to tell of all of these recollections, but we hope that some of them may remind us of others which we have long since forgotten or have yet to reveal.

There was the everyday monotony of classes. Reading and writing became a habit with us. There were the beloved recess periods, socials, field days, basketball and soccer battles, Scout meetings, chapel programs, field trips, special projects, and the annual May Festival dances. Each of these

extra-

curricular activities were pleasant excursi o ns from the daily academic and vocational training we received during long, hard hours of study periods.

All of these activities have combined to benefit us in years to come. The problems of the great, wide world will be easier to surmount. We also hope that our training will help make us useful members of the complex, modern society which is our heritage as American Citizens.

Class Prophecy . .

•

By llersy Lou Schwalw

In the fall of 1965, ten years after my grad uation from W.P.S.D. , I called on my best pal JEAN HENRY at her office in the U.S. Postal Building in Pittsburgh. We c h atted and I invited h er to spend a week-end with me before I returned to the West Coast to teac h.

We decided to go to the County Fair for old times sake. We rode on many d ifferent thrillers and ate l ots of good cotton can dy, taffy apples, pop corn and drank pop. We were very full from eating so m u ch, and when we saw a beauti ful tent with a sign saying "Fortunes Told Here", we thought we could rest a while and have a look into the future. We entered the dimly-lighted tent, the brightest spot being a beautiful crystal ball on a low table. Madame Swami told us to be seated so sh e could concentrate and bring a clear picture of things to come.

As the crystal ball began to clear a figure appeared looking very familiar; we soon saw that it was JOE JEZERSKI seated at the editor's desk in the office of the Pittsburgh Daily News. He seemed to be waiting expectantly, as was his linotype operator who looked very much like DONALD DABERKO. Suddenly Joe lifted t he phone a nd the p icture faded. As the picture cleared again, we could see the sports r eporter, BERT SHAPOSKA, at the fence surroundin g the track a t W h eeling Downs. He was waiting to report the outcome of the second race in which th e famous jockey, SHIRLEY SMITH, was riding.

T h e crystal ball seemed to turn, a nd there stood SHIRLEY LEWIS taking notes for h er fas hion column in the Daily News. She was watching closely t h e beautiful dress being modeled by SHIRLEY FLINT. Jean and I h ad often wondered about o ur old fr iends at W.P.S.D. Madame Swami stro ked the crystal ball t o bring us more news about our old friends. Again we were seeing the race track; Bert had left the race after reporting Shirley the winn er and was entering the restaurant called "Rankin's Inn," owned by EUGENE RANKIN. We could see ARLENE CRUTCHFIELD, the hostess, greeting Bert and seatin g h im at a table n ear a window.

We leaned forw ard expectantly as the picture changed. It l ooked as thoug h a house was appearing; t h at we could see JESSE IRVIN painting around the doorway. The sun seemed to be shining brightly making J esse thirsty for he k n ocked on the door to ask for a nice cold drink. We were not too surprised to see ALICE FINK when the door opened for we had heard s h e was happily married to a famous l awyer. jesse seemed to be thanking h er as t h e pictu re faded.

As Madame Swami stroked th e ball again, Jean and I wondered what had become of the other two members of the 19 55 class. Suddenly we could almost hear the music coming from the piano that appeared in the picture. There sat MARY ANN DICOLA stroking the k eys and nodding her thanks to the audience at the Paris Opera House. As she bowed, we could see her manager, MARGARET CENIS, standing in the wings as though waiting to help Mary Ann p lan future engagements.

The lig hts came on fu ll as Madame Swami arose from her chair holding out her hand for payment. We knew that was a ll that sh e could show us, so we paid h er gladly for giving us a g limpse of a ll our old friends.

Class Legacy .

• •

By Shidey Hint

The Class of 1955 , being of sound and disposing mind a nd memory, do hereby make and publish this our last will and testament.

To the school, the Class of I 9 55 bequeaths the balance from our class fund-raising efforts toward the purchase of a new World Book Encyclopedia and, we hope, other helpful books for the new school library.

To Dr. Craig, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your understanding and sympathetic leadership in bringing to the school talented, friendly teachers, supervisors and principals who are making this a better school.

To Mrs. Craig, we thank you for your efforts and leadership in using your artistic talents to make our living rooms more homelike and all the school a more beautiful place in which to live.

To our principals, Miss Quick and Mr. Smith, we thank you for helping bring our courses of instruction up to date, for finding better books for our use, both in the classrooms and the library, and for educational motion pictures, but most of all for being friendly people who understand our problems.

To the teachers, we thank you for helping us with the kind of education we will need for the life before us and for helping prepare us to take our place among other people and be worthy of citizens of our community and our c ountry.

To Mrs. Barr, we thank you for helping us by selecting the proper foods for our health. We want to tell you how much we appreciate your help in making our Senior parties successful.

To Dr. Ebe and Miss Rung, we will not forget you who helped keep us healthy, during our stay at school.

To To To To

Dr. O'Laughlin, we thank you for the care you gave our teeth. the Staff Cook, our thanks for helping prepare and cook all our meals.

Irene Powaski, Jean Henry bequeaths her beautiful figure.

Carol Daberko, Betsy Schwalm disposes her freckles.

To Jane Rice, Shirley Lewis disposes her love for laughter.

To Phyllis Conti, Alice Fink releases further claims to her love for homework.

To Dorothy Slonaker, Mary Ann DiCola bequeaths her love of cooking.

To Donna Stitt, Margaret Cenis wills her distinction as a chatterbox.

To Deanna Miceli, Shirley Flint disposes her sensitivity to tickling.

To Margaret McCorkle, Arlene Crutchfield wills and bequeaths her love for neatness and good order.

To Donald Hearn, Donald Daberko bequeaths his love for playing soccer.

To Gary Parsons, Joseph jezerski wills and bequeaths his ability to drop off to sleep.

To Paul Gum, Shirley Smith wills the secret of his technique for teasing the girls.

To Allen Phillips, Bert Shaposka wills and bequeaths his scholarly ways.

To Wallace Varndell, Eugene Rankin wills his love for playing the game of football.

To John DeLong, Jesse Irvin wills his love for swimming.

INVICTUS Out o f t h e ni ght that cove rs me, Bl ack as t h e Pit from pole t o pole , I t h ank w h atever Gods the r e b e F o r my u n conquerable soul.

In th e f ell clutch of circumstan ce I h ave not win ced or c ri e d a loud, U n der the bludg eoning s o f c h a n c e M y h ead is bloody but unbowed.

B eyond this pla ce of w rath a nd t e ars Looms b ut t h e horro r o f th e sh a de ; A n d yet th e menace o f th e y ears F inds a n d sh a ll find m e una fraid.

It matt ers n ot h ow stra it th e gat e, H ow c h a r ged with punishment the scr o ll I a m the m aster of my fat e, I a m th e captain of my soul.

-

If/. E. H enley

Activities

Orer Second Place T rophy

SPORTSMANSHIP And in the world as in the school, You know how fate may turn and shift; The prize be sometimes to the fool, The race not always to the swift.

Who misses or who gains the prize, Go, lose or conqu er as you can; But if you fall or if y ou rise, Be each, pray God, a gentleman.

-Wi/liau~ Makepeace Thackeray

Athletics

Our Coaches .

• •

MR. RICHARD JONES The skipper who navigated our boys to their many victories is coach Richard 1ones. He has coached soccer at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf for four years, and is one of the best.

In coaching, he is distinguished by his keen judgement and clever maneuvering of players.

During the four years he has coached the soccer team, it has made the best record in the history of the school, with twenty-six wins against five losses and one tie .

MR . JAMES MACKIN Coach 1ames Mackin has completed mne years as head mentor at Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.

His coaching record h as been a good one.

His basketball teams have ranked with the very b est in our school's history. In the Eastern States School s for the Deaf tournaments, his teams won first p lace in 1948, twice finished in second p lace, twice in fourth place, and twice in fifth place.

Soccer

• • •

Fro11t R ·>tu : Blyche H anno ld. Seco11d R ow : Ted Walscrom, R onald Heckman, John D elong , G eorge D'Amore. Allen Ph illips. T hird R ow : Coach R ichard J ones, Donald D aberko, Robert Cramer, Joseph Jezerski, Michael Do rrell, C harles Fisher, Paul K necze r, Gerald Stewart, J osep h Iacobucci.

T h e se a r e th e boys w h o b roug h t f a m e and g lory t o o u r school w it h six t een v ic t ories a n d n o lo sses in the last two sea son s.

T his y e a r th e first team include d t wo seni ors. juniors, sophomo res a n d fres hme n mad e u p th e o ther nine p la y ers of th e sq u ad.

D on D a berko a nd J oe J ezer ski will leave th e sq u ad t his year as b oth a r e members of th e g r adu ating class.

SEASON'S RECORD

*

W.P.S.D. W .P.S.D. W .P .S.D. W .P.S.D. W .P.S.D .

W .P.S.D. W.P.S,D. W.P.S.D .

1

3 2 . .

2 4 3 1

Won 8

Kiski Prep.

Shady Side Connelly . . . . . . . . Washington . . . . . . . . . . Connelly . . . . ... . . Washington Kiski Prep.

Shady Side

.

Lose 0

T ied 0

0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0

*

Basketball .

• •

Center Front : G ary Avery. Front R ow : R onald H eckman, Joseph Jezerski, Michael D orrell, Paul K netzer, John D elong . Back R ow : 1Jr. Mackin, Paul G um, Charles Fisher, R obert Cramer, Teddy Walstrom, Do nald Daberko, Shirley Smith, Manager.

The Western Pennsylvania Lions faced difficulties this year bec aus e of low bench strength, but with teamwork and a great fighting spirit, the t e am pulled through with sixteen victories against five losses. They won the sec ond place in the Eastern Sta,t es Schools for the Deaf tournament held a t Wes tern Pennsylvania S chool for the Deaf.

Mike Dorrell, ] oe ] eze rski, John DeLong, and Paul Knetzer were mcluded in the list of the outstanding players in the E .S .S.D. tournament.

SEASON'S R ECORD \'V'.P.S.D. W.P.S.D. W.P.S.D. W.P.S.D .

W .P.S.D. W .P.S.D. W .P.S.D. W.P.S.D. W .P.S.D .

W .P.S.D. W.P. S.D. W.P.S.D.

58 37 54 54 48 68 49 63 47 24 69 59

W.V .S.D. Etna Allegheny Verona O.S.D. E. Pittsbu rgh Shady Side Kiski P rep.

Pitcairn Etna E. Pitt. B.C. Kiski Prep.

29 32 43 70 31

58 39

35 71

23 5-1 2S

*

W .P.S.D. W.P.S.D .

W .P.S.D. W.P.S.D. W .P.S.D .

W.P .S.D. W .P.S.D. W.P.S.D. W .P.S.D.

44 45 64 73 69 64

Shady Side E. Pittsburg h Pitcairn St. Michael Braddock Verona

E.S.S.D.A.A. Tournament 83 Maryland 64 Mt Airy 60 St. Mary's Won 16 Lost 5

41

47 69 51

54 54 47

47 67